			       PICTURES ABC
			       Version 0.5
		  Copyright (C) 1991 Vantage Software Co.

INTRODUCTION
------------

PICTURES ABC is a children's education program running under Microsoft 
Windows 3.0.  It is designed for children from 2 to 6.  The purpose of 
the program is to teach children the association between alphabets and 
words through the usage of pictures and voice.

PICTURES ABC currently has two updated versions.  Version 0.5 is the
final version for shareware distribution.  It has all the basic features
of the program, and it only contains the animal category.  Version 2.0 is
the final registered version.  It has all of the basic features of Version
0.5 plus enhanced capabilities such as Soundblaster support, shrinkable
screen, and expandable categories.  In addition, Version 2.0 includes four 
categories: animal, food, people, and things.  

PICTURES ABC Version 0.5 should give you a taste of how you can teach and 
enjoy this program with your children.  If you find it to be a fun and 
effective teaching tool, we recommend you to register for Version 2.0.  
You will have more fun with the additional three categories and enhanced 
capabilities.

You are welcome to distribute or share PICTURES ABC version 0.5 with
your friends provided you do not alter the contents of this program.
Only PICTURES ABC version 0.5 can be treated as public domain software.
You may not distribute PICTURES ABC registered version 2.0.

FILE LIST
---------

The distribution version of PICTURES ABC contains the following files

		PICABC.EXE  -  the main executable
		PICABC.TXT  -  this readme file
		DOVOICE.DLL -  PC speaker sound DLL
		A.SPK       -  PC speaker voice file

All of the above files should be located in the same sub-directory for 
the program to operate properly.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
------------------- 

Since PICTURES ABC operates under Microsoft Windows 3.0 environment,
the following system configuration is recommended for PICTURES ABC
to run effectively.

	- PC/AT 286, 386, 486, or better computer operating
	  at speed greater than 10 MHz

	- Microsoft Windows 3.0 or later operating environment

	- Mouse pointing device

	- EGA, VGA, and XGA display system

INSTALLATION
------------

To install PICTURES ABC, just copy the files stated in the FILE LIST 
paragraph above into a sub-directory of your choice.  Then, you should
activate the Microsoft Windows 3.0 environment.  Next, select the 
"RUN" option under the "file" menu item of your Windows 3.0 Program 
Manager.  This will result a dialog box appears on your screen.  Under
the "Command Line" input, type in the directory path of PICTURES ABC 
and PICABC.EXE to execute the program.

If you want to permanently install PICTURES ABC in your Program 
Manager, please refer to Windows 3.0 User's manual for the procedures
to adding icons within Program Manager.

PROGRAM OPERATION
-----------------

Upon activating PICTURES ABC,  it will undergo an initialization process 
for a period of 15 seconds.  During this time, a message box will be 
displayed on the screen, and the mouse will be disabled.  When the mouse 
is re-enabled, you may click on the "OK" bottom to enter the main program.

After initialization, PICTURES ABC displays the twenty six alphabets with 
four selection categories.  The categories are:  animals, foods, people, 
and things.  Each category is identified by a graphic symbol displayed in 
the blue rectangular area.  The default category is animals.  You may 
select the category by clicking the mouse on the category symbol, or use 
the left and right arrow keys to high-lite the desired category symbol.  
However, only the animals category contains pictures and voice in the
distribution version.

After the selection has been made, you may start to enter any one of the
twenty six alphabets.  This can be done by either pressing the letters on 
the keyboard or using the mouse to click on the alphabet button displayed 
on the screen.  When an alphabet is entered, a picture will come up with 
the word associated with the alphabet written on top of the picture.  As
the picture appears on the screen, the PC speaker will generate the voice 
to pronounce the word.  Entering any other alphabet will cause a new 
picture to appear and the old picture to disappear.  Clicking on the 
picture or pressing any non alphabetic key will make the current picture 
disappear.  This process may be repeated until you wish to terminate the 
program.

For the ABC PICTURES distribution version, only the animal category 
generate pictures and voice.  All other will generate registration 
messages.

ENHANCED CAPABILITIES
---------------------

PICTURES ABC Version 2.0 contains three major enhanced capabilities.  
They are:

1) SoundBlaster Support - PICTURES ABC Version 2.0 will automatically
   detect the presence of Soundblaster card. If it exists, the program
   will use it to generate voice which produce better sound.  Otherwise, 
   the program will default to PC speaker to generate voice.

2) Shrinkable Screen - PICTURES ABC Version 2.0 can reconfigure its main
   display window to fit a new size selected by the user.  After the 
   program established its new size and location within the Windows'
   environment, all the popup pictures will be displayed according to 
   the new program configuration.  The minimum size for PICTURES ABC
   main window is 320 X 240 pixels.  With this new capability, you can
   share the computer screen with your kids.

3) Expandable categories - PICTURES ABC Version 2.0 is capable of 
   incorporating additional categories to the basic four categories 
   included with the main program.  It has the capacities to handle
   up to 30 different categories.  If you like to have your child 
   learning a particular category of words, we welcome your suggestion.  
   Just put the category name and words associate with the category in 
   the registration form, we will consider it in the expansion kit for 
   PICTURES ABC.

Also, if you have other ideas and suggestion to PICTURES ABC, we also
like to hear it.  Again, please write them down in the registration
form, and we will consider it as future enhancement of PICTURES ABC.

LICENSE AGREEMENT
-----------------

The distribution version of PICTURES ABC is a freeware.  It serves as 
a demonstration for the registered version of PICTURES ABC.  However, 
it is copyrighted material, and it is protected by the copyright laws
of the United States.  You may not alter, decompile, nor disassemble
the program for any purpose.

We encourage you to share this distribution version of PICTURES ABC 
with your friends.  

REGISTRATION
------------

To register and obtain version 1.0 of PICTURES ABC software, please 
fill out the form below and send it with $20.00 registration fee to

			VANTAGE SOFTWARE CO
			P. O. BOX 612631
			SAN JOSE, CA  95161-2631
			(408) 248-4751

Upon receiving your registration form, we will send you the PICTURES ABC
version 1.0 within three weeks.

DISCLAIMER
----------
Vantage Software Co is not responsible for any damages or loss of data due
to usage of PICTURES ABC distribution version.


==========================================================================
		      PICTURES ABC REGISTRATION FORM
 

Name:________________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________

City:________________________ State:_________ Zip:___________

Telephone: (________)-_______________________________________

Disk size: ________360K ________720K________1.2M________1.4M

Display type (VGA, EGA, etc.):_______________________________

Source of PICTURES ABC distribution version:

_____________________________________________________________

Suggestion and Comments:

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________ 

